Israel's Ben-Gvir Storms Al-Aqsa Mosque Under Police Protection, Provokes Muslim World

Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound accompanied by Israeli settlers under heavy police protection.

“Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City – his third incursion into Islam’s third holiest site this year – as Israel arrested at least 18 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Sunday”

Al Jazeera

He declared, "Today, I feel like the owner here."

Al Jazeera

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the raid as a blatant assault on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Palestinian Authority called the move a flagrant violation of the historical and legal status quo.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry described it as a desecration of its sanctity, a condemnable escalation and an unacceptable provocation.

Ben-Gvir's incursion came as Israeli forces turned parts of East Jerusalem into a militarized zone.

Al-Aqsa had been closed for more than 40 days following Israel's war on Iran.

Al-Jazeera Net

Israeli settlers stormed the compound the same day it reopened to Palestinian worshippers.

The OCHA reports that more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since October 2023.

Hamas called on Palestinians to remain anchored at Al-Aqsa to foil Israeli plans.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a strong condemnation.

“Hamas denounces Ben-Gvir's raid on al-Aqsa and calls on Palestinians to remain steadfast there”

Anadolu Ajansi

Secretary-General Taha stated that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

He held Israel fully responsible for the consequences of these incursions.

Jordan condemned the incident as a breach of the longstanding status quo.

The Palestinian presidency emphasized that there is no sovereignty for Israel over Jerusalem and its holy sites.